International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict: UNFPA expresses concern over rise in sexual and gender-based violence in conflict zones

UNFPA’s Executive Director (ED), Dr. Natalia Kanem, has called on the global community to rise to the hidden crisis of sexual violence in conflict zones. In a statement presented on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict 2023, the ED mentioned that “UNFPA remains deeply concerned about the deplorable violence experienced mostly by women and girls, but also by men, boys and people from marginalized communities – and the fact that most cases go unreported and unpunished.”

Conflict is rising globally, with images of fighters, shattered buildings and traumatized communities permanently on the news. However, the news cycle hardly represents the horrific forms of violence inflicted on the bodies of women and girls. Rape, sexual assault, forced marriage, sexual slavery and other forms of gender-based violence are common in modern wars. These hardships are compounded further by attacks directed towards women peacebuilders and those assisting survivors of sexual violence. In effect, humanitarian assistance becomes even more threatened as the number of people needing help doubles.

While calling on the global community to scale up action and funding towards these growing needs, the ED commended the work being done by thousands of local responders and community actors who are engaged in ending sexual violence through prevention, outreach and risk mitigation. The ED restated the commitment of the UNFPA, the UN sexual and reproductive health agency, to advancing life-saving services and response to gender-based violence in over 30 emergency contexts.

Reflecting on the commemoration, the UNFPA Representative in Somalia, Niyi Ojuolape, noted that the ED’s message resonates with the country office given Somalia’s peculiar security and development challenges. Several places remain under the control of violent actors where humanitarian aid workers are targeted and threatened. These operational constraints notwithstanding, UNFPA Somalia has found creative ways of responding to those in desperate need of services. The launch of mobile maternity clinics providing maternal and ancillary services across several Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps is a testament to that commitment.

“Through collaborative efforts with partners, we aim to bring hope, create a brighter future for all, and create lasting change by addressing the unique challenges faced by women and girls in Somalia, striving for their dignity,  rights, and providing necessary assistance.” Ojuolape said. “ No one should be left behind, especially in times of crisis”.

In the past year, UNFPA Somalia and its partners reached 54,220 persons with Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services and 22,655 persons with prevention and response to GBV, including Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for women and girls. UNFPA Somalia will continue prioritizing the continuity of essential and life-saving health and Gender-based Violence (GBV) services, targeting vulnerable women and girls, IDPs and persons with disabilities.